Neil O’Conner Guest Lecture “(RE)connections: Emulation, Aesthetics & The Modular Synthesiser”

Venue：November 4, 2025（Tue）

13:00 ~ Lecture (Tokyo University of the Arts, Senju Campus, Lecture Room 2)

Abstract

This lecture explores the aesthetic and philosophical approaches to composing with the modular synthesizer, which allows for a more tactile approach to electronic music composition. Composer and Researcher, Neil O Connor presents  (RE)connections: Emulation, Aesthetics & The Modular Synthesiser, which focuses on machines developed at Radio France (GRM) in the 1950s, in particular the ‘Phonogene’ (1954), a multi-headed tape instrument, used by both Pierre Schaeffer and Iannis Xenakis. 

Considered and discussed in parallel is Make Noise’s ‘Morphagene’, a modular synthesizer module, one utilised extensively by the O’Connor, which attempts to emulate the processes and aesthetics originally developed via the ‘Phonogene’. O’Connor’s also presents his work in Max/MSP and Pd (Pure Data) which attempts to recreate and emulate the approaches of the ‘Phonogene’.

Drawing from his research, O’Connor, who has published widely in the field (Bloomsbury, Routledge and Cambridge University Press) and is currently completing his second monograph entitled: Microsound & Glitch – Time, Material and Technology, will explore aesthetic and philosophical approaches such as Cybernetics, Agency and Technological Determinacy which asks if these ‘reconnections’ challenge or complement current compositional methodologies and to what end will it influence future direction of electronic / electroacoustic music making as Heidegger (1977) suggested ‘the will to mastery becomes all the more urgent the more technology threatens to slip from human control’.

　Composer and performer Neil O Connor studied at Trinity College, Dublin (M.Litt/PhD Electroacoustic Music) has been involved in experimental & electro-acoustic music for the past two decades and has performed in Ireland, Europe, Australia, Asia and the US. His work has been shown/performed at MOMA, New York, IRCAM, Institute of Contemporary Art, London and has held residencies at the Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art and EMS – Swedish Institute of Electro-Acoustic Music, Stockholm, Sweden. His electroacoustic works have won award and mentions at Noroit-Léonce Petitot (Arras, France), Euphonie D’Or des Concours International de Musique Electroacoustique (France) and Musica Nova Electroacoustic Music Competition, (Czech Republic). Neil has published with Bloomsbury, Routledge and Cambridge University Press and is currently the director of ULEAMS (University of Limerick Electroacoustic Music Studio).